Hollywood Road

"The girl with short golden hair?" Murphy looked at James Franco, the quirky actor, in surprise. "Are you talking about Carey Mulligan?"

James Franco didn't know her name; he had just learned she had auditioned for the project. "So, her name is Carey Mulligan."

Murphy frowned slightly, sensing something from Franco's attitude. "Her acting is outstanding," Murphy said, testing the waters. "She's the best I've seen at her age."

"Outstanding?" James Franco quickly asked, "Are you planning to cast her?"

"If all goes well…" Murphy glanced at James Franco, as if forming an idea. "She will be the lead actress for this project."

"OK!" James Franco snapped his fingers. "Have your people contact my agent."

Murphy turned to Jessica Chastain and gave her another instruction. Without making a sound, James Franco swiftly grabbed the pen he had been eyeing, slipped it into his sleeve, and stood up. "Alright, then. I'll be going."

Thinking about the girl he had seen at the Actors' Guild, James Franco's smile grew even more charming.

He waved to Murphy and Jessica Chastain, left the warehouse, looked up at the bright sunshine, and headed towards Milton Cafe. As he walked, he took the pen out of his sleeve and examined it, muttering to himself, "Another addition to my collection."

In the warehouse, Murphy closed his notebook and realized his pen was missing. He looked around the desk and under it but couldn't find it.

"Someone took it," Jessica Chastain seemed to have seen what happened.

Murphy turned to her, puzzled, "Who took it?"

"James Franco..."

Hearing the name, Murphy was momentarily confused. The pen he used was just a cheap, ordinary one that even a beggar might reject. Why would an actor with some fame like James Franco take such a pen?

However, Murphy quickly realized that Hollywood stars were known for their various quirks. Even wealthy individuals sometimes had a habit of stealing small items.

Over the next two days, Murphy continued to prepare his project and had initial contact with James Franco's agent. Unlike Franco, agents were notoriously difficult to deal with, especially when it came to negotiating fees.

The "Hard Candy" project had a budget of only $300,000, yet Franco's agent initially demanded $150,000 for his fee…

After two rounds of negotiations, the fee was gradually reduced to below $100,000, but it was still beyond what Murphy could afford.

At $80,000, the negotiations almost broke down. Murphy knew it would be difficult to lower the price further through the agent, and the actor's personal intention often played a crucial role at this point.

Standing by the window in his workspace, Murphy dialed a number. When the other side answered, he said, "Hey, Jim, it's Murphy."

There was a lot of background noise from the other end, and after a while, James Franco's voice came through again. "Hello, Murphy, long time no see."

Murphy teased, "How's the pen working out for you?"

"Ah…" Judging by the voice, James Franco sounded a bit embarrassed. Murphy seized the opportunity. "Jim, don't you want to join my crew?"

Who wants to join? James Franco thought sarcastically but said, "Of course I do."

"But we're having a hard time negotiating with your agent," Murphy didn't beat around the bush. "My project's total budget is only $300,000, and he's asking for $80,000 for you. At that rate, we can't make the film."

James Franco replied nonchalantly, "Negotiating is the agent's job. I can't interfere."

Murphy wouldn't believe for a second that Franco was genuinely interested in a small role in his minor project. After the audition, Murphy had a pretty good idea of Franco's intentions. He sighed, "It's a shame. It looks like we won't be able to work together. I've already decided on Carey Mulligan as the female lead, so I'll have to find another male lead."

As if Franco's absence was a huge loss.

"The female lead is confirmed?" James Franco paused. "Murphy, I think we get along really well. Let me talk to my agent…"

Listening to Franco ramble, Murphy hung up. Franco clearly had some ulterior motives, but wasn't that to Murphy's advantage?

An actor like James Franco was far more professional and suitable than those waiters and car washers he had auditioned.

Turning back, Murphy sat at his desk. The biggest problem now was securing Carey Mulligan.

The British girl herself had no issues. Jessica Chastain had informed her yesterday that she had passed the audition. However, due to her age, her guardian had to sign the contract.

Convincing parents to let their child act in such a film wasn't easy.

If they couldn't secure Carey Mulligan, negotiations with James Franco would also fall apart.

While it wasn't strictly necessary to cast them both, they were the most suitable actors among those who had auditioned.

With that in mind, Murphy found the phone number he had recorded in his notebook and dialed it.

"Hello, this is Carey Mulligan."

A sobbing voice came through the receiver, as if the person on the other end had been crying. Murphy quickly said, "Hello, Carey, it's Murphy. What's wrong? Are you crying?"

On the other side, Carey Mulligan, curled up on the sofa, wiped her tears when she heard it was Murphy. "They won't let me play Hayley," she said, sounding very upset.

"Who?" Murphy asked, puzzled.

Carey Mulligan, as if finding a floodgate to release her emotions, continued through her sobs, "Uncle Julian Fellowes is against it. He called my parents, and they just called from London and scolded me…"

The sobbing was very pronounced. Murphy knew this girl's rebellious nature hidden beneath her delicate appearance. He deliberately comforted her, "Hey, Carey, don't cry. Even if we can't work together, I can show you the script once the film is finished. Your parents are just doing what's best for you."

"What's best for me?" Her voice immediately rose. "Since I was little, they've opposed everything I wanted to do. Anything I liked, they were against. I've had enough! I have no freedom at all!"

Murphy added at the right moment, "They are your parents, and they love you."

"If they loved me, they would support my dreams instead of obstructing me. If they loved me, would they let me come to Los Angeles as an exchange student? They've never even visited me!"

This girl seemed to have accumulated a lot of resentment.

"Sorry, Carey…"

Handling a socially inexperienced girl was relatively easy for Murphy. "For the sake of your family's harmony, I'll have to let you go…"

"No!" She interrupted him before he could finish. "I have to do this! Murphy, can you give me more time…"

Her voice softened, "Please."

Initially, she was indeed interested in the unique story of a Lolita taking down a creepy older man. After reading a page of the script, she thought it was good but not something she had to do. For a little actress with some background, getting small roles in other films wasn't difficult.

However, kids her age were the most rebellious. The more their parents opposed something, the more they wanted to do it. Coupled with Murphy's subtle instigation, Carey Mulligan was now determined to play Hayley.

Even if her parents were already on a flight to Los Angeles, she wouldn't back down.

Murphy remained silent for a while, signaling how difficult the situation was. When Carey Mulligan said "Please" again, he finally responded, "Carey, the rest of the crew is already in place. We're about to head to northern Los Angeles to start shooting. We're only missing the female lead."

Carey Mulligan sounded like she was about to cry again, "Murphy…"

She wanted to prove her parents wrong, to show she was grown up and could follow her own path.

"Alright, alright, Carey…" Murphy finally said. "I can wait for you, but only for a week."

"Thank you, Murphy." Carey Mulligan laughed, "You're so understanding. You're a good person."

In the eyes of a rebellious girl, those who went along with her wishes were good people, while those who opposed her were always the bad guys.

After hanging up, Murphy called Jessica Chastain, informing her that the casting for the lead roles would continue. While he believed Carey Mulligan and James Franco were the best choices, it didn't hurt to have backups.

Whether Carey Mulligan, like Natalie Portman back then, could stand up to her parents, Murphy had no confidence. After all, he was no Luc Besson.

In her apartment, Carey Mulligan sat on the large sofa, clutching the phone and thinking about how to outmaneuver her parents who were on their way.

To her, her parents were dream-destroying demons, rigidly crushing one dream after another since childhood. Now, they were coming for her biggest dream yet.

"I won't give up!" She clutched the phone tighter and shouted into Julian Fellowes' empty house, "I won't give up!"